Playing career of Georgia football sophomore ends due to health issues

A Georgia football football sophomore who was rated the nation’s No. 2 tight end prospect in the 2023 recruiting cycle is ending his college career.

Pearce Spurlin will take a medical disqualification due to a congenital heart condition that was already being monitored, coach Kirby Smart said Tuesday morning before the Bulldogs began spring practices.

Smart said Spurling made the decision with his family after discussion and counseling with medical specialists.

“Over time he and his family had to make a decision,” Smart said. “They made the decision to give up football to be safe. Really a tough decision for him. We’re praying for him and his family. He’s going to be fine. He’s out there with us now helping, but it’s just too much at risk for him.”

Spurlin will remain on scholarship and remain part of the program.

“You hate it for the kid because he was going to be a really good football player,” Smart said. “He got so much better during the season but it was something we were monitoring closely.”

Spurling, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), said that cardiologists monitor his heart each year and this time it “showed something different, my margins moved into a zone of being at high risk playing contact sports. I always knew this was a possibility and I feel like God graciously gave me a year of playing college football at the highest level on the number one team in America. That is something I will carry with me forever.”

The 6-foot-7, 230-pound Spurlin from, South Walton High in Rosemary Beach, Fla., had 3 catches for 60 yards last season in six games after breaking a collarbone last spring.

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/playing-career-georgia-football-sophomore-151331804.html

Author : Athens Banner-Herald

Publish date : 2024-03-12 15:13:31

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